Movement controlling valve means for follow-up pressure fluid servomotors and the like



ATES VE July 25, 1950 c, E.

MOVEMENT CONTROLL PRESSURE FLUI Filed Sept. 15, 1944 G V MEANS FOR FOLLOW-UP ERVOMOTORS AND THE LI KE 2 Sheet s-Sheet l CLYDE E. COATES y 1950 c. E. COATES MOVEMENT CONTROLLING VALVE MEANS FOR FOLLOW-UP PRESSURE FLUID SERVOMOTORS AND THE LIKE Flled Sept 15, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i CLYDE E. COATES Patented July 25, 1950 UNITED MOVEMENT CONTROLLING VALVE S FOR FOLLOW-UP PRESSURE FLUID SE'RVOMOTOR'S AND THE LIKE Clyde E. Ooates, Warren, Ohio, assignor to The Taylor-Winfield Corpration, Warren, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application September 15, 1944, Serial No. 554,220

4Claims. 1

This invention .relates to hydraulic valve arrangements and more particularly toan improved valve and actuating mechanism therefor which is zoperative to effect precise control over the movementof a hydraulically actuated member such as, for example, the slideable platen :of a flash-butt electric resistance welding machine. While the "invention is "concerned primarily with a*h-ydraulic valve of "the follow-up type having special utility in connection with hydraulically actuatedfiashebutt welders as willbe specifically described :hereinbelow connection with such special application, it should become apparent as the description proceeds thatthe broader "and majority of the ieatures involved are similarly applicable :in a -ben'eficial manner to a widevariety of hydraulically actuated devices.

The primary object of the invention is the simplification of the control apparatus required to effect precisioncontrol of 'andiwide flexibility in the movement of a hydraulically actuated machine element. Thus, it iswithintheprovince of the present invention to provide a 'simplifiedbut improved valve arrangement for controllingthe flow of hydraulic vfluid pressureto a fluidrpressure operated motor in such manner that the driving element of themotormay'be caused to move precisely in accordance with the movement of a mechanically operated reference member, a manually moved reference member, or maccordance' With-the movement of an element or member as results fromcombined predetermined or mechanicaland manual effort.

Another object of the invention is the previslon of a substantially simplified but improved arrangement for 'valving the flow of hydraulic fluid to a iflulclpressure operated motor having anormal operating stroke only duringa portion of which is. precisioncontrolled over 'the character of movement of the driving element required, after which a large volume'of fluid is required :to :efiect a rapid acceleration of "the driving'element. I have heretofore proposed, as disclosed-and claimed'incopending application Serial No. 431,364, nled February :18, 1942, now U. 8. Patent No. 2,373,226, to accomplish these com bined objectivesby providing asmaller precision follow-upvalve :for controlling the operation of the motor during :the first part-of its stroke and an additional :dumping valve for quickly furnishingza large volumeof fluid from a suitable source, asan accumulator, :at the time rapid acceleration'of the'motor is desired. The present inventionisaanimprovement-over the system described and illustrated in my prior application in that the present system-requires .but a single valve for accomplishing-both stated functions and in that additional improvement in the smoothness and precision of the movement of the driven slide is attained Moreover, the present single valve means may be produced more economically than the-follow-up valves heretofore employed for comparable purposes -A further object of the invention is-the provision of an-improved r nowup valve for metering the flow of hydraulic fluid to a fluid pressure operatedmotor,-notably of:the cylinder and piston type, which is'operative to effect smoOther'movements of the driving elements of the motor in response to demands of the follow-up Valve. This objectis accomplished inaccordance with the present invention, in a motor of the cylinder and piston type at least, by sodiminishing the portsof the valve that an appreciable hydraulicfluid back pressure is a1- ways maintained onthe back sideof'the piston thereby positively preventing any chattering or jerking in the movement of the piston.

Yet another objector the-invention 'is'the'p'rm vision of'simplified and improved linkage for couplin :both the machine element being moved and a movement controlling element with the movable valve element of a follow-up valve utilized to'control the flowof hydraulic fluid to the motor utilized in'effecting movement-of thema chine element.

The above and "other specific objects and ad vantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration 'of the iollowing detailed specification :and the accompanying drawing wherein there 'is disclosed a preferred embodi ment of "the-invention.

"In'thedrawing:

Figure lis 'a longitudinal sectional View of a hydraulic follow-up valve'constructed in accordance with theprinciples or the invention; and

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an electric resistance fiashbutt welding mach'lne uttlizlng the valve and the linkage means shown more in detail in Figure 1.

'The "principal valve of the invention consists of-a valve body 10 having a centrallydlspos'ed bore :H in which "is slideably-mounted a spool indicatedgenerally by the numeral l2. Formed in the side wallof the bore H are the longltudi nally spaced annular grooves or recesses I3, 14, l5, l5 and H, the firstof which is'in'open communicationwith an exhaustport l8=extendingto the outer wall of the body lll 'whlle 'the recess H is in open communication with a port" 19 which may be connected to'one oi-La doubleactlng hydraulic cylinder. The centrally disposed recess I5 is in open communication with a pressure inlet port 28, the recess IS with a port 21 which may be connected to the opposite end of said cylinder, and the recess I? with an exhaust port 22. As shown in Figurel the spool iz-is'provided with a pair of longitudinallyspaced diametrically enlarged portions 23 and 2a which, in the neutral position of the spool, span the recesses i l and i6, respectively. In the end walls of the enlargements 23 and 24 there is formed radially extending V slots or cuts which begin at the base diameter of the spool and extend radially outward to the outer peripheral surface of the enlargements 23 and 24. Thus, in enlargement 23 a groove 25 is formed in the side thereof adjacent the recess l3 while a similar groove :25 isformed in the opposite side thereof. A out 27, which may be identical in dimension with cuts 25 and 25 formed in the side of enlargement 24 adjacent the recess l5 while a cut 28 which'is preferably slightly shallower than the cut 26 for a reason to be later described, is formed in the opposite side of the enlargement 24.

Whi1e the drawing shows but a single cut in each of the'end walls of the enlargements 23 and 24 it should'be understood that any number of such cuts may be provided in each of the end walls, dependingupon the particular use to which the valve is to be put. If multiple cuts are provided ineach'fa'ce the same would preferablybe spaced circumferentially; As illustrated, the bottoms of the cuts 25 and 2E lie, in the neutral position of the valve, at orvery slightly outward of the'side edges of the annular recess l4 and, similarly the bottom of the cut 2! is so located with respect to the side edge of the annular recess I6. The bottom of the cut 28 is spaced slightly from the Outer side edge of the annular recess I6 and it should be apparent that if th spool I2 is moved to the right, as viewed in Figure 1, fluid will be admitted from inlet port throughout 2! into recess Iiiand'thus into port 2I and, assuming the port 2! and IS to be connected to opposite ends of a cylinder, fluid from the tail end of the cylinder will pass through port I9, recess I4, out 25, recess I3 to exhaust port I8. Since cuts and 2! are identical in dimension and bear identical relation with respect to the contiguous edges of the recess M and I6, respectively, the back pressure in the cylinder will not be such as to impede appreciably the movement of the piston in the driven direction so that the piston may move fairly rapidly, depending of course on the degree of opening-of thevalve. However, upon movement of the spool I2 to theleftyas viewed in Figure 1, the slight restriction of the cut 28 with respect to the cut26 willalways provide a dinerential' in fluid metering area in favor of'the cut 26 so'that while the piston will continue to move in the opposite direction an appreciable back pressure will always be maintained in this cylinder thereby absolutel preventing chattering or jerking movement of the piston in this direction.

Secured to oneiendofthe valve body II] is an end cap 29' having a bore therethrough' for the reception'of an end portion of the spool I 2, which bore isenlarged adjacent the outer end of the cap to receive packing 3B and adjacentthe inner end to receive the coil spring 3l-sth'e inner end of which abuts against-a washer lying against a shoulder 32 ofthe spool I2. Bore I! in body I0 is enlarged-to slidea'bly receive awasher 33 which overlies "the washer .abutted by spring 3| and spool I2 has'a second shoulder 34 which engages.

4 washer 33 upon the spool being moved far to the left as viewed in Figure 1. Thus the spring 3I, in addition, provides a yieldable shock absorbing stop for the spool I2.

An end cap comprising parts 35 and 35 is secured to the opposite end of the valve body I 0 and part 35 has its bore enlarged to receive packing 3'! while part 36 has a cylindrical guiding surface 38 for slideably receiving a clevis 39 which is connected to the adjacent end of the spool l2. It should be obvious that upon longitudinal sliding movement of the clevis 39 in the guide 38 the spool I2 will have corresponding sliding movement in the bore II. For a purpose to be later described, additional means is provided to slideably move the spool I2 irrespective of application of force to the clevis 39 and such additional means may consist of a piston 40 formed integral with the spool I2 and slideable in the outer portion of the bore I i which is adjacent the cap member 35. Means in the form of a three-way valve 4! is provided to admit fluid pressure into the bore I I intermediate the piston 40 and cap member 35- whenever desired. As shown, valve M is preferably attached directly to the valve body In and a passageway 42 in the body Ill connects the inlet port recess I5 with the inlet port of the valve II and a passageway 43 also provided in the body Ill connects the outlet port of the valve M with the space in bore I I on the outer side of piston 40, The exhaust port of valve 4| is connected with the exhaust port 22 of theprincipal valve and, in accordance with usual practice, valve M has a slideable operating plunger 44 arranged to be operated by a solenoid 45 through a stem 46.

As stated hereinbefore, the described valve mechanism isparticularly well suited for controlling the movement of a hydraulically actuated platen in an electric resistance butt-flash welding machine and for completion of the description of the valve mechanism such adaptation of the mechanism will be specifically described. Referring to Figure 2, a butt-flash welding machine having'a base 58 having a stationary clamp and electrode carrying platen 5| is provided with a slide clamp and electrode carrying platen 52 arranged to be moved by a double acting hydraulic cylinder 53, the piston of which is connected to the platen 52 as will be understood. A conduit 54 connects the outer end of cylinder 53 with the port I9 of the valve M for the movement of the platen 52 toward the platen 5! in a flashing and upsetting direction while a conduit 55 connects the inner end of cylinder 53 with port 2| of the valve In for retraction of the slide 52 preparatory to the next succeeding welding operation. A source of hydraulic fluid under pressure is provided by the conduit 56 which is connected to the inlet port 26 of the valve I0 and for reasons to be hereinafter pointed out an accumulator 51 is placed in communication with the conduit 56.

In butt-flash welding apparatus it is highly desirable to control the movement of the movable platen (52) in an automatic manner in accordance with a predetermined time-position pattern particularly during the flashing period and to provide additional automatic means to valve a large quantity of fluid to the platen moving motor (53) upon completion of the flashing action to efiect a quick upsetting movement of the movable work pieces and, further, it is also desirable that the machine be constructed in such manner that, if desired, the movement of the platen may be manually controlled particularlyat the start of the'fiashins action. .The system disclosed and .5 claimed in the above mentioned application accomplishes these objectives so the following description will be concerned primarily with the adaptation of the valve mechanism of the-present invention to a welding machine having the operating characteristics enumerated.

Pivotally connected to the clevis 39 is a. link 58 which is pivoted intermediate its ends between the prongs of a clevis 59 which is rigidly carried by the outer end'of a rod 60. Clevis 59 is slidably guided between a pair of spaced parallel surfaces 6! formed on the-cap member 36 and, as shown, the opposite end of rod this slideably received-in a bore in'lug 62 formed as anintegral part of the cap 29. Encircling the rod 60 and positioned intermediate the lug B2 and the clevis 59 is a compression spring 63 the ifunction of which is to always urge the clevis 59 to the right as viewed in Figure 1. Clevis 59 mounts a cam following roller 64 which engages a cam 55 mounted for slideable movement in a direction generally parallel with the link 58. For operating the cam I provide a cylinder 66 the piston rod-of'which is connected to the slide mounting the cam 85. A conduit '61 connects the rod end of cylinder 66 with the supply line 56 while a conduit 67, solenoid operated valve 68, metering valve 69, and conduit 19 connects the supply line with the opposite end of cylinder 66. In parallel with metering valve 59, which is adjustable, is a check valve ll so that upon de-energization of the solenoid 72 which actuates valve 68 fluid from the head end of the cylinder 66 can escape rapidly through valves H and 58 to allow for quick retraction of the cam 55 by the inflow of fluid through conduit 6i into the rod end of the cylinder. It should be noted that the difference in effective area on opposite sides of the piston in the cylinder 66 as represented by the area of the rod enables the fluid pressure developed in the head end of the cylinder by the supply of fluid to valves 68 and -69 to overcome the pressure of the fluid in the rod end of the cylinder to allow cam 65 to move at a rate determined by the setting of the valve 69.

Pivotally connected to the end of link 58 on the side of clevis 59 opposite clevis 39 is a link l3 the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to a bellcrank l4 pivotally mounted on a lug 15 formed integral with and extending outwardly from the valve body It. The other leg of bellcrank it is connected with a toggle link 16 having a cooperating toggle link ll formed as an integral part of a hand lever 18. Lever 18 is rota-tably-mounted on a bar 19 adjustably carried by the slide 52 as shown. The adjustable mounting'of the bar 59 is such that the same may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the slide or platen 52. Link lthas an extension or projection on which is mounted switches 80 and BI for actuation by engagement with a projection 82 formed onthe link i l. W hen the toggle is straight switches 80 and 85 are closed and to releasably hold t e toggle in straightened-out position a latch 83is mounted on the link 76 for cooperation with a lug formed as an integral part of the link 11.

"Welding current'is supplied to the electrodes carried by the platens and 52 bywelding transiorirner t l, the primary of which is energized from a suitable source through a circuit-which inc'ludea control assembly 85 having, in accordance v. 1th usual practice, means to initiate the flow of current and means to determine or modulate the strength of current translated, and

a normally closed contactor 86 arranged to be openedby a solenoid 81 upon energization thereof. Closure of switch 35 actuates control 85 to initiate the flow of welding current and a second switch 8B for the same purpose may be mounted on the hand grip portion of the lever '18 so that the flow of welding current may be initiated by closure of either switch 80 or 88 and the flow of current continued'after straightening and latching of the toggle even if the operator removes his hands from the controls as will be understood. I provide a transformer 39 for furnishing energizing current to the solenoids 45, 12, and 81,.the energization of the former being under the control of a switch 913 which is arranged to be closed upon the cam reaching a predetermined adjusted advanced position. Solenoid 12 is arranged to be energized upon closure of switch t-l while solenoid 81 is energized upon the closure ofthe switch 9! which also isoperable upon the cam 65 reaching a predetermined adjusted position.

.In operation, the spool ll of the main valve will normally be in centered or neutral position as shown in Figure 1, this necessarily following from the nature of the valve and from the nature of the linkage interconnecting the spool and the slide 52-assuming that the cam follower B4 is maintained pressure engagement with the cam 65 by means of the spring 63. At the start or a welding operation cam 65 will be fully retracted and slide 52 will be retracted an extent determined by the extent of shortening (breaking) of the toggle 16, ll by rotation of the control lever l8 to the right as viewed in Figure 2. Upon breaking of the toggle switches and 8| are, of course, opened so that solenoid I2 is deenergized and, if switch 88 is opened, no welding current flows. With work pieces clamped to the platens 5i and 52 the operator moves the pieces together for pre-heating or for initiating the dashing action by rotation of the lever 18 to the left which lengthens toggle it, ill thereby rotating bellcrank 74 thus rotating link 58 about its point of pivotal connection with the clevis 59 and thereby moving spool ii. to the left as viewed in Figure l to admit hydraulic fluid under pressure to port is and to allow fluid to bleed off from the platen end of cylinder 53 through cut 2? and exhaust port 22. This moves platen 52 in forward direction and if lever 18 is not further rotated such movement will stop when the distance traversed is comparable proportionately with the extent of rotation of a lever 18, the

, movement of the platen 52 operating through the linkage including bar 19 to pivot link 58 in the opposite direction to bring the spool I2 back to its'initial starting or neutral position. Continued rotation of the lever it, however, results in continued movement of the platen 52, which continued movement is normally utilized for initiating the flashing action, and upon the toggle becoming straightened locked valve 53 is opened to admit fluid to the head end of cylinder 66 to initiate the timed movement of cam 65. Thereupon cam 05 moves the clevis 59 inwardly at a rate determined by its pattern such inward movement when translated to the link 58 necessarily results in the forward movement of the platen 5?. at a rate also determined by the pattern of the can. In considering this operation, the link 58 may be thought of as pivoting about its point of interconnection with the link 1-3 so that ii the cam 65 moves the clevis 59 faster than the platen moves the link 13 link 58 will be rotated about such pivot to move spool I2 in a direction tending to supply additional fluid to the'head end of the cylinder 53.

'Upon completion of suflicient flashing as deter-- mined by the cam 65 reaching a predetermined. advanced position switch 9!) is closed to energize relay :25 thereby admitting fluid pressure to the outer side of piston 40 to rapidly move the spool ll2'far to the left as viewed in Figure 1 against the action of the springs 3| and 63. .At the end of .such movement shoulder 34 of the spool I2 engages the washer 34 which has a limited amount of sliding movement against the action of the spring 34 whereby a cushion stop is provided. In this position of the spool the enlargements 23 and 24 thereof are moved past at least approximately half of the longitudinal extents of the annular recesses i i and i6 so that a large volume of fluid may be quickly transferred from inlet port 20 to the port l9 and thus in the conduit 56 while a correspondingly large volume of fluid may be as quickly exhausted through conduit 55, port 2|, and exhaust port 22. This provides for the quick upsetting movement of the movable platen as i required in the operation of flash-butt welding machines.

In practice, the location of switch Bil and/or its operator mounted on the slide 65 may be readily shifted or adjusted to determine the exact point on the range of movement on the slide at: which upset will occur. Thus, upset may take place after either little or prolonged flashing. Similarly the location of switch 9i and/or its operator on the slide 65 may be shifted or adjusted to cut off the flow of welding current either: before, during or after the upsetting of the work. In order to prevent gripping of the movable platen 52 when the control lever i8 is at rest in any broken toggle position I provide a small bleeder hole 92 which interconnects ports 59 and EL. The final or minimum interval between the dies carried by platens 5i and 5?. is determined by the adjustment of a nut 93 on the rod mounting the piston within cylinder 53 and, therefore, the adjusted position of the bar '19 with respect to theplaten 52 determines the extent of movement of the platen 52 during the upsetting of the work, it being observed that the previous adjustment of the position of the switch 90 or its operator determined the position which bar 18 would reach at the initiation of upset. By adjusting the position of the bar is forwardly with respect to the platen greater movement of the platen 52 will be attained during the upsetting period.

At the completion of a cycle of operation the flow of welding current is cut oh by energization of solenoid 86 and upon unclamping of the work lever 18 is rotated to the right thereby opening switches 80 and Si which prevents the reapplication of welding current upon retraction of the slide 65 and which de-energizes solenoid 12 thereby actuating cylinder 66 in a reverse direction causing retraction of the slide 65. As the slide E35 begins to retract the opening of switch 99 de energizes solenoid 45 thereby allowing valve ii to reset and the springs 35 and 53 to move the cam follower 6 5 back into engagement with the cam. Thereafter, the shortening of the toggle 75, ll rotates link 58 about its point of connection with clevis 59 in such direction as to move spool 52 to the right, as viewed in Figure 1, of its neutral position to reverse the flow of fluid through the cylinder 53. This action retracts the platen 52 at a rate determined by the rate oimovement of the control lever 7'8. Upon the platen 52 being fully retracted the machine is reconditioned for the next succeeding welding operation, a

It should now be apparent that I have provided an improved valve mechanism which accomplishes the object initially set out. First, by the provision of a relatively simple valve of the follow-up type I am enabled to efiect smooth and accurate movement of a machine element or slide in response and in accordance with movement of a control member which may be either manually or automatically actuated or actuated by a combination of these two means. Secondly, the same valve mechanism may be employed, as desired, to effect a sudden acceleration of the machine element or slide at a predetermined point in the cycle of operation. These objectives are accomplished, moreover, by a valve mechanism the specific design of which lends itself readily to economic production.

The above specifically described embodiment of the invention should be considered illustrative only as obviously many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for controlling the movement of a device actuated by a hydraulic fluid motor comprising in combination a valve for controlling the flow of actuating fluid to said motor, said valve having a movable control member, a cam, diflerential linkage means between said cam and member operative to move said member in incremental progression in one direction during forward movement of said cam, and means interconnecting said device and said linkage means and beingoperative to move said member in the opposite direction in accordance with forward movement of said device whereby said valve controls the flow of fluid to said motor in such manner that the pattern of movement of said device follows accurately the pattern of said cam, said interconnecting means including a manually operable control lever for varying the efi'ective length of said interconnecting means whereby said device may be actuated independently of movement of said cam and in advance of its movement resulting from movement of said cam.

2. Apparatus for controlling the movement of a device actuated by a hydraulic fluid motor comprising in combination a valve for controlling the flow of actuating fluid to said motor, said valve having a movable control member, a cam, difierential linkage means between said cam and member operative to move said member in incremental progression in one direction during forward movement of said cam, means interconnecting said device and said linkage means to move said member in the opposite direction in accordance with forward movement of said device, means to move said cam in a forward direction, said interconnecting means including a manually operable control lever for varying the efifective length of said interconnecting means whereby said device may be actuated independently of movement of said cam, and means operable upon said lever reaching a predetermined manually advanced position to initiate operation of said cam moving means.

3. Apparatus for controlling the driving movement of a hydraulic fluid motor having a doubleended cylinder and a piston comprising in combination a four-way valve forcontrolling the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from opposite ends of said cylinder, said valve having a movable control member operative in one direction of its movement to uncover the port leading to the driving end of said cylinder at a faster rate than the port leading from the tail end of the cylinder, a cam, diiferential linkage means between said cam and member to move said member in said direction during forward movement of said cam, and means interconnectin the driven element of said motor and said linkage means to move said member in the opposite direction in accordance with the forward movement of said driven element, said interconnecting means including a manually operable control lever for varying the effective length of said interconnecting means whereby said driven element may be actuated independently of movement of said cam and in advance of its movement resulting from movement of said cam.

4. Apparatus for controlling the movement of a device actuated by a hydraulic fluid motor comprising in combination a valve for controlling the flow of actuating fluid to said motor, said valve having relatively movable elements which are operable within an initial limited range of relative movement to modulate the flow of hydraulic fluid to said motor but which in a further sequential range of relative movement are operative to rapidly valve a large volume of fluid to said motor; and means for effecting relative movement of said elements over said first mentioned range comprisin in combination a cam, differential linkage means between said cam and one of said elements and operative to move said one of said elements in incremental progression in one direction during forward movement of said cam, and means interconnecting said device and said linkage means and being operative to move said one of said elements in the opposite direction in accordance with the movement of said device, a manually operable control lever forming a part of said interconnecting means for varying the effective length of said interconnecting means whereby said device may be actuated independently of movement of said cam, and means operable upon said device reaching a predetermined advanced position to initiate effective movement of said cam.

CLYDE E. COATES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 745,520 Prescott Dec. 1, 1903 930,225 Ragonnet Aug. 3, 1909 1,075,733 Simon Oct. 14, 1913 1,563,988 Howse Dec. 1, 1925 2,055,530 Hallenbeck Sept. 29, 1936 2,209,418 Overbeke July 30, 1940 2,299,430 Sexton Oct. 20, 1942 2,411,270 Hart Nov. 19, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 29,056 Great Britain of 1909 401,937 France Apr. 10, 1909 

